Fish Ladders

We have been told that Anadromous Fish require the removal of the Ben Smith Dam.

Why?

Anadromous fishes are those that spend all or part of their adult life in salt water and return to freshwater streams and rivers to spawn. We have been lead to believe these fish can not get past man made impoundments.

So what should we do?

We have been told that these fish are not currently able to get past Billerica but we should remove the Ben Smith Dam so that we will be ready when they get here.

Sounds like a good plan, right?

Currently in Lawrence there is what is known as a fish ladder. This fish ladder allows anadromous fish to navigate around the 32 foot high dam.

These "proposed" fish, will be provided a fish ladder at Powder Mill Dam should they ever arrive there.

Better Plan!

A fish ladder should be provided at the Ben Smith Dam as well.

Anyone who is actually familar with the Ben Smith Dam can tell you that there is already what amounts to a natural fish ladder.
In the lower left of this picture you can see some of the natural outcropping of rock that rises from the river basin almost to the crest of the dam. I've seen anadromous fish jump much higher than this dam.

I know I've been tempted to take my kayak right over it when the water is high.

I think were our anadromous friends here, they would be able to get past the Ben Smith Dam already. The American Eel can.

However, if the situation ever arises and they can't, a couple well placed rocks will solve the problem.